Bangkok (VNA) -  The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) wantsto increase tourism in second-tier areas by improving small hotels and promotingelectric vehicle (EV) travel, the Bangkok Post reported.

Somradee Achitchong, deputy governor for domestic marketingat TAT, said guidelines were developed to adjust the domesticmarketing plan for this
year and the next, with an announcement planned for July sothat both public and private sectors can align their marketing plans.

For this year and the next, the agency also plans to address theweaknesses and loopholes in the government's plan to promote tourism insecond-tier areas.

According to the official, hotel accommodation insecond-tier provinces is limited in terms of size and number of rooms, meaningnew marketing gimmicks are needed to attract both foreign and domestic tourists.

The surge in oil prices resulted in a spike in airfares,creating an opportunity for rail tourism and EVs as eco-friendly and sustainablemodes of travel, she said.

Somradee noted the private sector is worried about the lackof preparations in secondary areas as most of these provinces still lackfacilities and services that are essential components to promote sustainabletourism. She suggested the development of roads and the EV repair and maintenancesector./.